Does anyone not get endorphins from exercise?

[AbsentmindedWoman]

I think I used to when I was going to about 3 or 4 yoga classes a week, for example. I felt great because I loved the whole experience. Excellent teachers and beautiful studio. But not now, getting ready for a walk. Yeah I need to go and sometimes it's fine.

However sometimes I feel like I actually get the opposite of endorphins? I get tense and a bit cross and so relieved to get home!

Do you feel a bit shit after exercising? Or is this purely a reflection of how unfit I am now?

It took me almost a year of running to start feeling great from it. I always run pre 7am and at the school gates mums would say "wow you must feel amazing and really set up for the day" I just didnt. I hated running and found every 5km really tough.

Over December I started running at midday as it was too dark first thing which I hated even more but when I started early again mid january suddenly I love it and feel amazing from it

Only with high intensity exercise or heavy weight training and only with loud, uplifting music. I wouldn’t expect to get an endorphin rush from walking or yoga (though these often give me headspace which is a valuable thing anyway).

I enjoy natural exercise, like walking the dog, playing with the kids, skipping (never to the point of exhaustion, just for a bit of a laugh) gardening etc.
I don't know if I get a high from it, but certainly I feel low if I sit about all day.
I have never done the sort of exercise that makes me hot and sweaty. And I'm healthy and not overweight.

I don't. Any. I get nothing from it at all. I've posted on threads about it before. A few people posted the same. I think it's quite unusual. many posters who do get endorphins seem absolutely incapable of understanding that some of us don't. It actually really hacks me off, what's wrong with me, why don't I?

Jovial : "don't exercise at a high enough intensity, or for long enough."

Nope. Completely disagree. if you do a workout with a personal trainer, or a spinning class that should be enough to make you have endorphins.

Spinning does nothing for me.

No, never.

When I used to run I hated it, did it in a vile mood, swore at any person or dog who got in my way.

When I used to go to a gym I would feel weak and ill after every session. Once, having tried to power through after a cold, I ended up with a lung infection and on antibiotics.

Exercise is a necessary but tedious and unpleasant chore.

it seems the assumption is if you don't get these endorphins you aren't going fast enough.

Swimming is the only exercise that leaves me feeling wonderful. I think it's because of the combination of immersion in water and the meditative nature of swimming along with the full body stretch that happens when supported by water. All other exercise I have to grit my teeth to do because I know it's necessary.

That's tough. The buzz is the only reason I drag myself out of bed to run, that and the self satisfying smugness when I've finished.
Hats off to those of you that do exercise without it, you must have strong willpower.

No I definitely don't .

Swimming's one of the worst for me, so, so boring, chlorine, definitely a grit the teeth job for me.

I don't get any enjoyment from sport, often feel crap afterwards. I had always put it down to the fact that I have reactive hypoglycemia, but maybe I don't get the endorphins.
I exercise because I have to for my health, but I dislike it totally. It has never brought me the slightest feeling of pleasure. It is 100% an obligation.

No , get far more from reading a book ! I do it because I have to.

Never, I generally feel angry and exhausted after high intensity exercise. I can happily have a nap straight after a run, DH is baffled as he feels amazing after running.
I'm not competitive at all, he's always encouraging me to to go further/faster thinking he's being motivating and it makes me want to give up tbh.

I enjoy swimming, yoga and Pilates as they relax me and I appreciate the fresh air from walking.

The only times I have a rush of endorphins that make me feel fantastic for ages afterwards is after sex or childbirth!

I exercise differently these days. Still don't get any highs, but at least I don't get injuries or feel sick as a dog!

Great thread.
Me neither.
I think it’s all a huge con!

I would agree with a pp that music made a massive difference for me.

Used to when I started running 20 years ago and was less fit, yes used to feel great afterwards all relaxed and jelly like and so happy. I am much fitter now and no endorphins - I really enjoy exercise, so much so I quit my previous job to teach classes & yoga and I still run but no high - enjoyment yes but calm not woohoo! I don't think endorphins is necessarily linked to beasting yourself frankly, that can have the opposite effect and make you feel teary and overwhelmed. Balance is the key imo as well as cross training so I do lots of different exercise cardio, strength & holistic which also helps prevent injury.

Exercise is a necessary but tedious and unpleasant chore

This. Like eating salad and breastfeeding. It’s something I do/did because I should and it’s good for me (or the babies) not because I enjoy(ed) it.

After I have exercised, I feel glad I have because of the physical benefits and because it is over. I can’t even imagine this rush people get that sounds like some drug induced high. Bizarre!

I think those of us who don’t enjoy it but do it anyway deserve more merit points!

If you're talking about a 'buzz', the answer is yes and no.

When doing something 'exciting', like surfing or downhill cycling, yes.
When walking or normal cycling, no.

BUT I do love the post-exercise cup of tea and maybe cake if I've done enough to deserve it. Exercise is worth it because I enjoy the cake more!
I also like the tired feeling in my muscles that means I've used them for what they were meant for.
Don't think these feelings are endorphins though.

I don't.
What's worse is I am now exhausted after any exercise, bone tired. So it's doubly difficult to motivate myself.

I don’t really. I cycled somewhere with DP the other day and expressed surprise that people cycle for fun because for me it’s mildly stressful and a way to get from A to B but he professed to have enjoyed the trip.

Sometimes I do, running hard with the club gives me a great feeling, possibly due to being a group activity. I run long distance and when I've done say 17 miles I feel very satisfied. Do gym classes too and sort of love, hate them. I really miss them atm but when I'm doing them I do look at my watch after 13 mins and think omg is that all I've done! Love the feeling afterwards, not sure if it's a high? More quietly satisfied, then knackered for the rest of the day!

I can't sweat (anhidrosis) so exercise is a nightmare. I just swell, and go red, and swell more and go redder. And then I take aon more and more water as I am so hot and need to cool down but I can't as I can't sweat. And then I need to go to the loo, due to all the water, but typically I am nowhere near a loo (because I am exercising) and then my stomach hurts because I am not going to the loo when I need to.

Joy.

Bloody hell WellTidy that sounds awful. I had reduced ability to sweat as a medication side effect for a few years when I was younger, and I well remember how gruelling summer weather was. To not be able to sweat at all??!